Improvement in truss-frame bridges



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Leners Parent N .104,295', and .rime 14, 1870.

IMPROVEMENT IN TRUSS-FRAME BRDGES.

The Sehec'lue referred. to n these Letters Patent and making part of the same I, J om.' FonmrAx, of Pottstown, county of Montgomery, State ot'Pennsylvania, have invented an Irnprovement iu Truss-frame Bridges, of which the following is a specification.

Nature and Object ofthe In rcntion.

` )Iy invention consists of a cast-iron box, arranged 'for the reception and securing together' of'the lower or upper chord-rods and diagonals and counter-diagonals ot'a truss-frame bridge,rin the manner described hereafter, with a view to generalsimplicity and economy as regards construction.

General Description.

form bridge,

A, A1, and A? are three continuous fiat bars, ing together the lower chord of a. truss-f`rame and B is a cast-iron box, composed ot' the upper and lower horizontal plates o and a', connected together, by the end ver'tical plates b and b', and the intermediate vertical plates l and ll, the whole being` cast in oncpiece. A

The outer hars A and A2 of the lower chord fit snugly between projecting ribs e e, which form parts ofthe upper and lower plates of the box, and against the outer vertical plates of the latter, while the intermediate bar A of the lower chord passes and tits snugly between the two intermediate plates d and d ofthe box.

Two bolts, f f, pass through the box and through the lower chord rods, thus serving to bind the whole firmly together'.

In the top of the box are two inclined projections,

m. nn having circular recesses for receiving the lower ends of the tubular diagouals on', and inclined iu a. contrary direction on the top of the box are projections n. n, for' receiving the tubular counter-diagonale` n. n', -through which, and through the box, pass the diagonal rods p, furnished at their lower ends with nuts q, bearing against inclined projections on the uuder side of the box, these diagonal tie-rodspassing through the box at such points as not to interfere with its vertical plates and transverse bolts. In fig. 4, B represents a somewhat modified forni 0f box a'dapted for application to the upper chords of a. bridge; but two chords, A and A* are shown in this case, it being intended to use a filling of wood between them at each end of the box, and the space :v within the latter' may also be filled, if' desired.

It will be seen, without further description, that one casting of simple characteris made the mediunr of rcceivinr,r and securing,r together the chord-rods and diagonals of a truss-frame bridge. p

The casting may, in bridges of alarge size, be made to receive two, or even more than two, intermediate chord-rods, or three, or more than three, diagonals and counter-diagonals, without any departure from the main characteristics of my invention.

Claim..

The box B, consisting ofthe ripper' and lower plates ay o', vertical plates b b' d ll', and recessed projections 1n m','all constructed and arranged as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification inthe presence ot' twosubscribing witnesses.

.10H3TL FOREMAN.

Witnesses;

Josrrclx Bruns, Maru rAs Gnrs'r. 

